Killing mutated plants was simple, but killing mutated trees was very troublesome.
They could only be killed by completely destroying their trunks, making the killing process particularly slow.
Especially since they were all extremely hard, this caused everyone quite a bit of trouble.
But fortunately, everyone's strength had improved; killing them was just a matter of time.
Indeed, after a day and night of fighting, they completed the mission of collecting 1000 crystals.
Each person would get 10,000 points!
Unfortunately, they'd only get them after clearing the activity.
"So exhausted..."
"It's hard to imagine how troublesome it will be when we need to go out searching for food resources."
"Not to mention searching for food, the vehicles can't even get through!"
"True. Even on foot, it would take too long. Just driving to the city edge to collect food takes an hour and a half!"
"Hehehe... this time we got over 400 crystals. Those trees alone gave at least second-grade crystals. That's enough to increase our attributes a lot!"
"A lot? That's what we got from fighting from morning till night!"
"Well~ it's good that we completed the 1000 crystal collection mission, right?"
"Hmm... I wish I could take the attribute gains back with me. That would be free strength!"
"Izumi-san, you're dreaming. Whatever strength you came with, you go back with!"
"Hahaha, she only has a painting superpower. She's not strong herself, basically like a frail summoner in a game."
"Alright, alright, laugh it up. Aren't the lions and tigers I paint fierce?"
"Okay, okay, stop talking. Go soak your crystals quickly. We need a good night's rest."
The women chattered as they returned to the shelter to rest. Kie had fought less, but she was the busiest upon returning.
First, she used her ability to clean everyone's protective suits, then filled the bathtub with water.
Afterwards, Sephie used her fire magic to heat the water in a pit Kaito had created with his ability.
...
The next day, there was still no wind, and the temperature had risen to around 30 degrees. The temperature was rising rapidly.
After spending another three days clearing large numbers of mutated plants in the surrounding areas,
the temperature hit 45 degrees. The sky was clear of clouds, probably blown away by the previous typhoon, making everyone experience nature's own roasting...
Because of the intense heat, and since there were still many mutated plants outside that hadn't been cleared, they didn't plan on going out. The vehicles were still blocked anyway.
Then...
As Kaito had anticipated, people came.
About 50 people, wearing mismatched gear, carrying various weapons. They endured the scorching sun and arrived at the luxury complex.
Along the way, they killed many mutated plants, so they were all covered in blood.
"This is the place, boss."
"Hmm... you did well. I didn't expect that after we stripped this place clean two weeks ago, there were still undiscovered shelters..."
A large man, being cooled down by a woman using ice abilities, chuckled while smoking a cigar. His eyes revealed anticipation and greed.
His subordinates had told him there were about ten women here, all more beautiful than any he currently had, which greatly excited him.
His men also said they were N times more beautiful than TV stars, which was even more incredible.
He had planned to bring his people after the reconnaissance, but then the typhoon hit.
After the typhoon, they had to clear away the many mutated plants in the area.
Although some people died in the process, the gains were substantial.
Kaito's thought "consider this a harvest day" wasn't wrong at all.
Who cared about the dead? The main thing was the crystal harvest was greater than usual!
Thanks to that, he had now reached the strength of a fifth-grade powerhouse!!
Get it?
Fifth-grade!
The strongest in this city!!
With one punch, he could easily punch through concrete without even scraping his skin...
Well, he could already do that before, but he didn't have a good frame of reference, so he tried jumping from the tenth floor and came out unharmed.
"It's so hot today, they probably aren't leaving their shelter... even if they do, it's okay. We'll wait!"
"All of you, search carefully! Even if you have to tear this complex apart, find me that shelter with survivors!!"
"Last time, you didn't search thoroughly. If you fail to find it this time... well, your future resource shares might be... problematic, understand?"
The bullish boss grinned sinisterly as he ordered everyone into the luxury complex to start the search.
He, meanwhile, enjoyed the coolness from the ice-using woman he held, sitting under a roof, waiting for results.
An hour...
No results.
Two hours...
Their attention returned to the villa area, and they started searching again.
Sure enough, they found several shelters they had missed last time, but they were all empty, and the people were gone.
Finally, everyone's attention turned to the largest villa.
Last time, they had looked there too, but the official faction had shown up, so they hadn't searched carefully before fleeing.
But this time...
"Hehehe, they can't get away this time, right?"
"Go, tell the boss. I'm looking at this place. They must be in the shelter here!"
"Yes sir!"
Soon, everyone surrounded the villa, and their boss slowly walked over.
"Damn, you didn't search this place thoroughly last time?"
"Well... boss, it wasn't that we didn't search carefully. The official faction showed up, so we had to grab what we could and leave."
"Hmm... never mind. But this time, be careful. Kill all the men, and leave the women for me!"
"Yes, boss!"
"And... are you sure old Kong... old Zhao... old Qian... they don't know about this?"
"Of course, boss! We came out pretending to go a bit farther to kill mutated plants! They're all heading in the other three directions."
"Hmm! Good! Now, all of you, go in and search!"